Still trying to rationalize this deal and from the B's prospect return, and since Morrow is really the guy with the pedigree, thought it might be worth a full thread.

Morrow was 2011 1st Round Pick (23rd overall) by the Pengins while playing with the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL. That year, he was #12 in the NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings (NA Skaters), while being #16 on the mid-term rankings. Additionally was rated #20 in McKenzie's pre-draft rankings. As a December birthday (1992), Morrow was on the older side of the draft class, Dougie Hamilton by comparision is a June B-Day (1993).

Interesting piece from when he was traded from the Pens for Brendan Morrow back in March is that the Stars needed to kick-in a 3rd round pick to get the deal completed. Maybe that is just the genius of Ray Shero vs the incompetence of Joe Nieuwendyk, but it gives you an idea as to what he Stars prior regime thought of the kid.

If this kid develops into a 2nd-pair d-man, that gets me feeling much better about the Seguin trade ROI and the future as Morrow is a year younger than TS.

Here is the Hockey's Future Profile:

2006-07: Joe Morrow was chosen in the second round, 28th overall, of the 2007 WHL Bantam Draft by the Portland Winterhawks.

2007-08: Morrow made his first WHL appearance with the Winterhawks, going pointless in 1 game.

2008-09: In his WHL rookie season, Morrow played in 41 games for the Winterhawks. He picked up 7 assists in those games.

2009-10: In 65 games for the Winterhawks, Morrow scored 7 goals and added 24 assists for 31 points to go along with 59 penalty minutes. In 13 playoff games, Morrow notched 2 assists.

2010-11: In 60 games for the Winterhawks, Morrow scored 9 goals and added 40 assists for 49 points. In 20 playoff games, Morrow scored 6 goals and added 13 assists for 19 points. Morrow played for Team Cherry at the 2011 CHL Home Hardware Top Prospects Game. Morrow was chosen in the first round, 23rd overall, of the 2011 NHL Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

2011-12: Morrow was so impressive in his first training camp with the Pittsburgh Penguins that he almost made the NHL roster out of training camp. However, concerned over a possible lack of ice time, the Penguins re-assigned the defensemen to the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL. Morrow picked up right where he left off with a powerhouse Portland team, posting 17 goals, 47 assists, and 99 penalty minutes in 62 regular season games. He had another impressive playoff performance as well, managing four goals and 13 assists in 22 games.

Talent Analysis

A mobile and aggressive two-way defenseman who can play in all situations, Joe Morrow has seen his stock rise meteorically since his draft year in 2010-11. Playing with poise and maturity far beyond his years, Morrow possesses the ability to retrieve the puck from his own zone and start the play up ice. His puck-distribution ability is top notch and he has a hard and heavy shot that typically hits the net. He also owns a high hockey IQ and does an excellent job of keeping his head up when moving the puck up ice and carrying it along the blue line.

Hockey Prospectus guy had Smith as Dallas's #2 prospect last summer, apparently, and since they had Oleksiak and Campbell then, I'd say that's high praise (for whatever it's worth).

None of the three prospects they got is likely to make you feel any better if Seguin scores 50 goals and 120 points in Dallas some time over the next six years - let alone if he does it regularly. But feelings aside, it's possible the Bruins are better for having them than Seguin if Morrow becomes the perfect partner for Hamilton [Side note: imagine the Bruins having a Keith-Seabrook like top pairing for the next decade - Thanks to Kessel], if Smith develops into a top six forward as some project, and if Fraser can indeed be a banging, opportunistic third liner who gets some PP time because of his shot. All that for a guy who was likely stuck at second line RW in Boston.

Hockey Prospectus guy had Smith as Dallas's #2 prospect last summer, apparently, and since they had Oleksiak and Campbell then, I'd say that's high praise (for whatever it's worth).

None of the three prospects they got is likely to make you feel any better if Seguin scores 50 goals and 120 points in Dallas some time over the next six years - let alone if he does it regularly. But feelings aside, it's possible the Bruins are better for having them than Seguin if Morrow becomes the perfect partner for Hamilton [Side note: imagine the Bruins having a Keith-Seabrook like top pairing for the next decade - Thanks to Kessel], if Smith develops into a top six forward as some project, and if Fraser can indeed be a banging, opportunistic third liner who gets some PP time because of his shot. All that for a guy who was likely stuck at second line RW in Boston.

Are you not entertained?!?!

Trying to look at the B's ROI based on Seguin's value at the time of the deal, rather than what he may or may not actually do. Seguin is no lock for 40 goals & 100 points annually, but that is his ceiling. Thinking that needs be included in assessing his value at the time of the deal.

So, trying focus attention to the B's return. Ericksson is solid and a great fit, so what about the other three guys? If Morrow can be a top-4 guy, Smith a top-6 and/or Fraser a top-9, that is great return for Seguin. The B's got these three guys, not Oleksiak, Nichushkin or a 1st round pick. That will be as much a part of assessing winners/losers for this deal as anything Seguin does. Also think PC's legacy may depend on what these three propects deliver, at least as it pertains to the Seguin deal.

Joe Morrow, D — The former Pittsburgh Penguins first-round pick in 2011 (23rdoverall) finds himself dealt for the second time in less than four months, but brings an impressive offensive upside from the blue line to the mix. The 6-foot-1, 206-pounder is a very good skater who excels at making the first pass and kicking the transition game into high gear. He has a booming point shot (that he’s not always accurate with), but is not afraid to throw pucks to the net for deflections. His defense is not a strength, but not an area of weakness, either. He has the size, skating and vision to be an effective PP quarterback. He could see time in Boston this year, but will have a tough time beating the incumbents out in training camp. If he goes down to Providence, watch for him to be at the top of the call-up list. For more on Morrow, you can read his scouting profile on the 2011 Bruins Draft Watch Blog.

It's up to Don Sweeney and Julien to harness this raw talent. Look how much Bartkowski and Krug progressed in Providence. I have never read upside like that in regards to Krug Life and Bartman but looke what happend with them this year.

Hockey Prospectus

Dallas Stars receive D Joe Morrow

Joe Morrow was a first round pick by Pittsburgh in 2011, selected 23rd overall. He was a dynamic player in the WHL in 2010-11 and 2011-12, being named a first team All Star in 2011-12. Morrow's strength is his offensive game; he is a high-end skater and puck-mover with a bomb of a shot. He has all the tools to be a top three defenseman, and if he were to truly hit his peak, a top pairing defenseman. At this time last year, I would have said that such a projection would have above-average risk attached to it, and this season is evidence why. Morrow has 15 points in 57 AHL games in his rookie pro season, not exactly typical numbers for a stud offensive defenseman. He has struggled with the physical and defensive aspects of the game to the point where his ice time is not that high. He hasn't received penalty killing time or any tough defensive minutes.

Even with his struggles in mind, he is still a top 100 prospect in hockey, but once the new draft class comes in, it will be in the 60-100 range as opposed to the #35 ranking I gave him this summer. He becomes one of Dallas' best prospects along with winger Brett Ritchie and center Radek Faksa. With how well young defensemen Jamieson Oleksiak and Brenden Dillon have looked in the pro ranks, Dallas can afford to be patient with Morrow and let him work out the kinks in his game"

Krug is probably going to be shipped now. Ironic and all. But he was starting to be exposed as the playoffs went on, and if Morrow and Hamilton can both move the puck and are both bigger and more physical, Krug is probably the odd man out.

It's been a while for the Bruins since they had a camp with consequences, where a number of spiots are up for grabs heading in. There's going to be at least one forward spot as well as 13th forward with guys fighting for the spot, but I'm especially looking forward to watching the battle on D - four guys for two spots plus the 7th D. Should be a great battle.

It's been a while for the Bruins since they had a camp with consequences, where a number of spiots are up for grabs heading in. There's going to be at least one forward spot as well as 13th forward with guys fighting for the spot, but I'm especially looking forward to watching the battle on D - four guys for two spots plus the 7th D. Should be a great battle.

Seriously. Camp cant start fast enough. Look forward to reading about all these guys even more so.

It's been a while for the Bruins since they had a camp with consequences, where a number of spiots are up for grabs heading in. There's going to be at least one forward spot as well as 13th forward with guys fighting for the spot, but I'm especially looking forward to watching the battle on D - four guys for two spots plus the 7th D. Should be a great battle.

Still trying to rationalize this deal and from the B's prospect return, and since Morrow is really the guy with the pedigree, thought it might be worth a full thread.

Morrow was 2011 1st Round Pick (23rd overall) by the Pengins while playing with the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL. That year, he was #12 in the NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings (NA Skaters), while being #16 on the mid-term rankings. Additionally was rated #20 in McKenzie's pre-draft rankings. As a December birthday (1992), Morrow was on the older side of the draft class, Dougie Hamilton by comparision is a June B-Day (1993).

Interesting piece from when he was traded from the Pens for Brendan Morrow back in March is that the Stars needed to kick-in a 3rd round pick to get the deal completed. Maybe that is just the genius of Ray Shero vs the incompetence of Joe Nieuwendyk, but it gives you an idea as to what he Stars prior regime thought of the kid.

If this kid develops into a 2nd-pair d-man, that gets me feeling much better about the Seguin trade ROI and the future as Morrow is a year younger than TS.

Here is the Hockey's Future Profile:

2006-07: Joe Morrow was chosen in the second round, 28th overall, of the 2007 WHL Bantam Draft by the Portland Winterhawks.

2007-08: Morrow made his first WHL appearance with the Winterhawks, going pointless in 1 game.

2008-09: In his WHL rookie season, Morrow played in 41 games for the Winterhawks. He picked up 7 assists in those games.

2009-10: In 65 games for the Winterhawks, Morrow scored 7 goals and added 24 assists for 31 points to go along with 59 penalty minutes. In 13 playoff games, Morrow notched 2 assists.

2010-11: In 60 games for the Winterhawks, Morrow scored 9 goals and added 40 assists for 49 points. In 20 playoff games, Morrow scored 6 goals and added 13 assists for 19 points. Morrow played for Team Cherry at the 2011 CHL Home Hardware Top Prospects Game. Morrow was chosen in the first round, 23rd overall, of the 2011 NHL Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

2011-12: Morrow was so impressive in his first training camp with the Pittsburgh Penguins that he almost made the NHL roster out of training camp. However, concerned over a possible lack of ice time, the Penguins re-assigned the defensemen to the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL. Morrow picked up right where he left off with a powerhouse Portland team, posting 17 goals, 47 assists, and 99 penalty minutes in 62 regular season games. He had another impressive playoff performance as well, managing four goals and 13 assists in 22 games.

Talent Analysis

A mobile and aggressive two-way defenseman who can play in all situations, Joe Morrow has seen his stock rise meteorically since his draft year in 2010-11. Playing with poise and maturity far beyond his years, Morrow possesses the ability to retrieve the puck from his own zone and start the play up ice. His puck-distribution ability is top notch and he has a hard and heavy shot that typically hits the net. He also owns a high hockey IQ and does an excellent job of keeping his head up when moving the puck up ice and carrying it along the blue line.